11773
C. H. MANSUR, M. C, Mihhoubi, Temporary Chairman.
INTER-STATE DEEP-HARBOR CONVENTION.
Held at Topeka, Kansas, Oct. ist, 2d and 30, 1889.
PERMANENT OFFICERS.
Sknatob P. 11. PLUMB, Kahaak, Chairman.
VICE PRESIDENTS.
i: in ->s, Nebraska.
Ex-Gov. Jon* Eva,*-. Colorado.
Ho*. P. M. OaUOi Iowa.
P. L. DANA, Secretary.
JlDOK T. F, BORRXMt, Arkania*.
Ho*. E. E. Wakrk*. Wyoming.
Ho*. W. W. Gbifhs, Raw Mexico.
Ho*. 8. P. Watt*, Louisiana.
Ho*. Sol. Thatcher, Jr., IUIdoU.
Ho*. A. 8. JoiiK*o*, California.
REPORT.
The Third Inter-State Deep-Harbor Conventiou, held in Topeka, Kansas, October 1st, 2d, and 3d, 1889,
was a large and representative body of men, mainly delegates from all of the States and Territories west of the
Mississippi river. Illinois was, however, represented by sixteen delegates, who were admitted to all the rights
and privileges of the Convention. The convention was harmonious and unanimous in its demands for a deep-
sea outlet via the Texas coast, and resulted iu the adoption of the followiug resolutions:
Whereas, The general welfare of our country in so far as it relates to navigable rivers, harbors and commerce, is committed by the Constitution of the United States to the exclusive charge of Congress; and
Whereas, Cheap transportation of our commercial products constitutes one of the most important elements
of the general welfare; and
Wliereas, The Congress has donated to private corporations more than one hundred millions of money and
upwards of two hundred millions of acres of our national lands with which to construct artificial, and therefore
much more expensive highways, owned by private individuals, while they have neglected to make adequate
appropriation for even one feasible harbor on the northwest coast of the Gulf of Mexico, which would not only
afford very much cheaper transportation, but which, by our organic law, is uuder the exclusive care and control
of Congress; and
Whereat, The vast and rapidly developing area lying west of the Mississippi river, comprising more than
three-fifths of tho national domain, and yielding largely more than one-half of the agricultural, meat, and
mineral products of the entire country, is by this neglect forced to transport its commerce across the continent
by way of these artificial and expensive highways, subject to such exactions of private cupidity as amounts
always to a serious burden, and sometimes to total interdiction to !>otl, consumer and producer; and
Whereat, There can l>c no justification of this discrimination in favor of private highways, which, during
the last year, cost the commerce of the West an enormous loss in trar>s|H>rtation expense, estimated at more than
one hundred ami twenty millions of dollars, or upwards of ten millions per month: therefore,
liexoltvtl, first. That in rcaftirmanei' of the action of the Denver Convention, ami of the iMminittees organ-
ir.ed thereunder, it is the sense of this Convention lhat it is the duty of Congress to appropriate |tcr,mincntly,